Multiple Choice
How many valence electrons does a neutral potassium (K) atom have?
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10. Periodic Properties of the Elements
Valence Electrons of Elements
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Join thousands of students who trust us to help them ace their exams!Watch the first videoMultiple Choice
How many electrons are required to completely fill the first energy level (n = 1) of an atom?
A
4
B
6
C
8
D
2
Verified step by step guidance1
Recall that the first energy level (n = 1) corresponds to the first shell of an atom, which contains only one type of orbital: the 1s orbital.
Understand that each orbital can hold a maximum of 2 electrons, according to the Pauli exclusion principle, which states that no two electrons in an atom can have the same set of quantum numbers.
Since the first energy level has only one 1s orbital, calculate the total number of electrons it can hold by multiplying the number of orbitals by the maximum electrons per orbital: $1 \times 2$.
Conclude that the first energy level can hold a maximum of 2 electrons to be completely filled.
Therefore, the number of electrons required to completely fill the first energy level (n = 1) is 2.
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